Level 1 - Self Awareness Yoga Teacher Training

Established 2014

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Be Yoga Fresh

Millsboro, DE

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Purpose

An authentic practice/program to uncover the essence of yoga and the awesomeness within, via the study of yourself. From there one can lead themselves and others, safely, through a beginning hatha yoga session.

What to expect

This course is not about just becoming a yoga teacher.

It is about deep personal change with yourself, and those around you. From the very first weekend, you will begin to open, expand your awareness and evolve…

It speaks to all body types and all levels of practice, for you and your future students. It carefully respects your physical and emotional limitations while gently guiding you deeper.

Studies include:

· Asanas. principles of posture, practice skills

· Techniques training & teaching methodology

· Anatomy & Physiology

· Yoga History & Philosophy

· Pranayama & Meditation

· Lifestyle & Ethics for yoga teachers

Who Will Benefit from this Training?

· Any aspiring teacher who would like to complete a 200-hour certified teacher training.

· Any student of yoga who would like to deepen their practice.

· Anyone looking to learn more about yoga and its benefits, philosophies, etc.

It takes places over 5 -6 months, with weekly evening classes and one weekend a month. It includes observation sessions, student teaching sessions, a "yoga" project and a final written and teaching exam.

Style/Lineage

The teacher training is rooted in Hatha Yoga with an emphasis on Svadhyaya, study of the self. The style and sequencing methodology flow from classical lineage roots through Krishnamacharya and a bit of the Kripalu lineage! It focuses on alignment, and therapeutic applications to tailor poses to the individual’s needs. We emphasize digesting each pose and moving with self-awareness to explore the dynamics of Self. The philosophy taught flows from the yoga sutras and Bhagavad Gita as a guide towards self-realization. This training offers a comprehensive guide to transforming ones physical, mental and spiritual self so that we can live a more balanced, purposed driven life.

Additional Information

We suggest a minimum of 6 months practice. We accept a limited number of students per each training session to ensure each trainee is getting the most quality time, one – on – one with the instructor and receiving quality feedback. Learning is enhanced this way, which equals better results, and we create a community that can connect more closely.

We provide two manuals; however, two books are required to purchase.

Monthly payment plans for the training are available.

Core competencies

By the end of this program, graduates will be able to…

Teaching Skills	Assess postural misalignment of key points, ears, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles using natural positions of standing and supine, visual observation (from different angles) of deviations from natural spine and record on worksheets in class and outside of class. Guide savasana using yoga nidra inspired techniques by employing an appropriate tone of voice, pacing, and verbal guidance, and adapting the experience to honor individual differences in how students receive rest, stillness, and relaxation Teach foundational yoga postures clearly including 4–5 essential alignment and action cues per pose and offering appropriate modifications or props as needed Lead opening centering meditation by demonstrating appropriate seated posture, and using clear, calm verbal cueing, intentional breath counts, and an appropriate tone of voice to guide students from external awareness to internal focus Create 75 minute hatha class including centering meditation, warmups, standing postures, balance pose, seated postures to include cool downs and a 15-minute final savasana
Yoga History & Theory	Explain yoga history discussing its origins, evolution, key figures, and influential texts that has shaped yoga Discuss how the yamas and niyamas inform personal behavior by examining how these ethical principles support self-awareness, responsibility, growth, and dramatic the journey of being human Discuss concepts from patanjali’s yoga sutra and the bhagavad gita by explaining the primary goals of each text, comparing their approaches to liberation Discuss the paths of yoga (bhakti, karma, jnana, and raja) defining the philosophical basis of each path. Explore the frameworks of the koshas, nadis, and chakras explaining their purpose as models for understanding layered experience and energetic awareness, and experience and practice kosha-based meditation to explore shifts in attention, sensation, and self-perception in a grounded, reflective manner
Practice Skills	Demonstrate understanding of body mechanics by engaging in discussion and live examples of joint and spinal alignment, explaining how bones, joints, and movement patterns interact to support safe, functional, and efficient yoga practice Discuss how conscious breath supports stability and openness in yoga postures including more challenging poses, by explaining how breath awareness, pacing, and coordination can enhance postural support, nervous-system regulation, focus, and functional range of motion without forcing depth Practice and align foundational poses from the ground up by applying an understanding of postural alignment, including the relationship between the feet, legs, pelvis, spine, shoulders, and head, to support stability, balance, and functional movement Demonstrate awareness of the body by practicing and responding to different types of cues, including anatomical, sensory, breath-based, and imagery-based instruction, and observing how each cue influences sensation, alignment, effort, and ease in practice Practice foundational pranayama such as breath ration, dirgha pranayam, ujjayi pranayama by synchronizing breath with movement in yoga postures, observing appropriate breath ratio, count, and pacing Create daily yoga practice at home including poses, pranayam and meditation. journal how this daily practice has changed your state of mind over the course of the ytt
Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics	Discuss the major body systems, primary joints, and key muscle groups by explaining how muscles stabilize and move the joints Discuss how individual body structure influences asana and yoga practice by explaining how variations in bone shape, joint orientation, limb length, connective tissue, and mobility affect range of motion, stability, and the functional expression of postures Discuss the science of breath by describing the basic physiology of the respiratory system including the structure and function of the lungs, diaphragm, rib cage, and respiratory muscles
Lifestyle & Ethics	Discuss ethical guidelines and the role of a yoga teacher by explaining professional responsibilities, including boundaries, consent, inclusivity, integrity, scope of practice, and student well-being Discuss professional code of conduct including key guidelines, values, professional responsibilities and responsibility to our students Discuss patanajali 8 limbs of yoga by accurately defining each limb, with particular emphasis on the yamas and niyamas, and explaining how these ethical principles apply to personal behavior, relationships, teaching practice, and everyday life
Business Skills	Describe the fundamentals of a yoga-related business by explaining the key components of a basic business plan, identifying legal requirements and professional responsibilities

AYC allows each school to state and evaluate the competencies each student acquires. Students rate how well the program delivered them.

Program Emphasis

Evaluation methods

Program evaluations

Students are assessed through a combination of applied teaching practice, written reflection, observation, and final project work that together demonstrate their readiness to integrate yoga into teaching, personal practice, and/or community service. Assessment includes the successful completion of the following components: Applied Teaching & Community Engagement: Students create and teach eight one-hour community-based “Seva” classes, demonstrating an understanding of the key components of a basic yoga business plan, legal requirements, and professional responsibilities. For each class, students complete structured worksheets explaining their sequencing choices, teaching objectives, and class design, and they document observations of student engagement, accessibility, and learning outcomes. Participating students complete feedback forms evaluating the student teacher. Class Observation & Analysis: Students attend and observe four classes in different styles, completing guided observation worksheets that assess sequencing, cueing, pacing, teaching methodology, and student experience. Final Teaching Assessment: Students design and teach a 75-minute Hatha yoga class at the conclusion of the training. This class is assessed through direct observation by the Lead Teacher, supported by written evaluative feedback addressing sequencing, cueing, class structure, professional conduct, and integration of training principles. Reflective Integration Project: Students complete a written reflection outlining how they intend to further their yoga practice and/or serve the community beyond the training. Students identify areas of interest or specialization (including specific populations or non-teaching pathways) and articulate how they will apply the skills learned to deepen personal practice, foster community connections, or support others through yoga. Collectively, these assessment methods ensure that graduates demonstrate both practical competence and reflective understanding, whether their focus is teaching, community service, or personal integration of yoga practice.

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Program Faculty

Featured Faculty

Amy Stiefel-Fresh

Student of yoga since 2002. Learning, teaching and evolving since 2006 with an authentic traditional practice. Amy is a Yoga Therapist, E-RYT500, RYS-200 who will guide You. Open. to Greater. Awareness. That's Yoga!

Millsboro, DE, US